Preview calendar: Dec. 13 to 19, 2013

Story Time for kindergarten to first grade: Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Stone Ridge Public Library, 3700 Main St., Stone Ridge. Children can take the squirrel bus to the library. (845) 687-7023; stoneridgelibrary.org.

Story Time for 2nd - 3rd grade: Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Stone Ridge Public Library, 3700 Main St., Stone Ridge. Children can take the squirrel bus to the library. (845) 687-7023; stoneridgelibrary.org.

Sewing Club for teens & tweens: Monday, Dec. 9, 3-4 p.m. at the Stone Ridge Public Library, 3700 Main St., Stone Ridge. Rondout students may take bus #29 to the library. (845) 687-7023; stoneridgelibrary.org.

The Kingston Farmers’ Winter Market: Old Dutch Church,, 272 Wall St., Kingston. on the First and third Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. through April. www.kingstonfarmersmarket.org

Hudson River Ex-Mas: Dec. 14 and 15 from 11 to 5 p.m. 7th Street Park (between Warren and Columbia Streets) at 704 Columbia St., Hudson. Hudson River Exchange will be hosting a Winter Market the first two weekends of December. Opening night will coincide with Hudson’s 17th Annual Winter Walk. The market will be a showcase of the regions best makers and collectors - a perfect opportunity for holiday gift shopping and experiencing the creative bounty of the Hudson Valley. In keeping with the festivities, opening night will include food alongside live music as well as vendors selling handmade and vintage items. See more at hudsonriverexchange.com

Mohonk Preserve Singles and Sociables Outing – Stokes Trail: Saturday, Dec. 14th 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m..Singles and Sociables outings welcome all adult hikers, single and non-single, aged 18 and above. No reservations required. Meet at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center. This is a moderate to strenuous, 7-mile hike led by Art Raphael (845) 255-5367. New hikers are strongly encouraged to contact the leader prior to the hike for information on hike levels, what to bring, and other information. Hike leaders determine whether or not to allow pets. The fee per person: Free for Mohonk Preserve members, non-members pay the $12 hiking day use fee (includes a day pass which allows hiking access to Preserve lands for a full day, sunrise to sunset, and can be credited for up to two weeks towards a membership).

Mohonk Preserve Singles and Sociables Outing –John Burroughs Hike: Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Singles and Sociables outings welcome all adult hikers, single and non-single, aged 18 and above. No reservations required. Meet at the Route 299/9W Park and Ride. This is a moderate, 7-mile hike led by John Connolly (845) 691-6521. New hikers are strongly encouraged to contact the leader prior to the hike for information on hike levels, what to bring, and other information. Hike leaders determine whether or not to allow pets. This is a free program.

Mohonk Preserve Bob Babb Wednesday Walk – Zadie’s Bower: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Bob Babb Wednesday Walks welcome adults of all ages and levels of ability aged 18 and above. No reservations required. Meet at the Mohonk Preserve West Trapps Trailhead. This is an easy, 5-mile hike, with an optional scramble. The fee per person: Free for Mohonk Preserve members, non-members pay the $12 hiking day use fee (includes a day pass which allows hiking access to Preserve lands for a full day, sunrise to sunset, and can be credited for up to two weeks towards a membership). Please be prepared with appropriate gear for the conditions and type of hike. In case of inclement weather, call June Finer, Hike Coordinator, at (845) 255-7247 between 7:30-8am.

Make a Nature Gift: Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 to 11:30 a.m., homemade leaf prints, gift tags, ornaments and other holiday decorations. This program is recommended for children age 7 and older, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. If weather permits, there will be a short walk on trails near the Nature Center. Pre-registration is required. (845) 255-0752. The Park Preserve is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The fee for parking at Minnewaska is $8 per car. Minnewaska State Park Preserve consists of approximately 22,000 acres of wild and scenic land located on Route 44/55, five miles west of the intersection with Route 299 in Gardiner.

Special Storytime Sessions: Snow Flakes: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.. Join special guest Laura Conner, Environmental Educator at Minnewaska State Park Preserve, and Gardiner Public Library Children’s Librarian, Amy Laber, to learn about snowflakes. We’ll read books that feature snowflakes and we’ll play a snowflake matching game. We’ll finish up by making a snowflake craft to take home. This program will take place at the Gardiner Public Library during the normal story time and is recommended for four and five year olds, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please call the Gardiner Public Library at 845-255-1255 to register. (845) 255-0752. The Park Preserve is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The fee for parking at Minnewaska is $8 per car. Minnewaska State Park Preserve consists of approximately 22,000 acres of wild and scenic land located on Route 44/55, five miles west of the intersection with Route 299 in Gardiner.

Christmas bird count: Saturday, Dec. 14, Participate in the longest running citizen science effort in the world. Contact Steve Chorvas (845) 246-5900 or schorvas@verizon.net for assignment in the Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir count circle. Be prepared for a full day out of doors. Reports from feeder watchers in the count circle are also desired. Please contact Steve regarding details about compilation get together afterward, submission of records, and weather postponement.

ASK December Show: “Ringing in the New Year,” members Small Works show, Shun-Wah . Watercolors, “Art feeds Hunger” . Lew Testa (Fundraiser to feed the Hungry Children of Ulster County, proceeds to go to Queen’s Galley). Arts Society of Kingston, 97 Broadway, Kingston, (845) 338-0331. From Dec. 7 to 28.

“Cold Comfort, Monstrous Icons of Winter”: Dec. 7 to 27, Kingston Museum of Contemporary Art, 103 Abeel St., Kingston. The December Group Show. Paintings, drawings, assemblages and more by over 30 KMOCA artists. KMOCA’s regular hours are Saturdays 12-4, or by appointment.

The Birds & the Bugs: A show of painting and sculpture by Dave Channon, Limner Gallery, 123 Warren St., Hudson. (518) 828-2343.

La Mia Italia: Paintings of Italy: Through Dec. 30. at the Rosendale Cafe, Main Street Rosendale. Saugerties painter Nancy Campbell will show recent paintings of the region of Italy known colloquially as “Ciociaria”

“Leslie Bender: Involutions - Invocations”: Albert Shahinian Fine Art, 22 East Market Street, 3rd Floor, Rhinebeck, through Dec. 31 A major solo exhibition of new paintings on paper and canvas. An Artist Talk and reception is set during the Rhinebeck Third Saturdays ArtWalk on Saturday, Dec. 21, 4-6p.m. Both events are free to the public. Hours are Thursday-Saturday, 11-6; Sunday, noon-5 and by appointment and chance. (845) 876-7578 or www.ShahinianFineArt.com.

“Autumnal Equinox”: at Deerpark Town Hall, 420 Route 209, Huguenot. Free & open to the public for viewing Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. On view through Dec. 23. For more information: susanmiiller01@gmail.com.